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Sunday, February 28, 2010

So the end of February also brings around the end of this months design challenge. I don't know about you but those few less days we have in February seemed to make all the difference this month. Well that and possibly the many things going on in my little house at present that left little time for creating anything new.

But I could not let one month go by without having made a little something new.I decided to hit the fabric stash for this months 'seeing circles' challenge and make a new necklace. I've been fabric wrapping bangles of late but wanted to use fabric somehow for necklaces. I thought of doing yo yo's but decided on pin wheels instead.Not entirely sure of how to do them I cut up a scrap of fabric and experimented with winding away.

Happy with how they were shaping up I pulled out some of my favourite red fabrics and got them ready for winding.

After each circle was done I just laid them out into a shape I liked, slip stitched them together and sewed on two loops to join the chain.

Dadah!..... Another challenge met.

I quite like the way it turned out and might make a few in different colors for the Northside Makers market.

How did you go for this months challenge?Don't forget there are no fails in this challenge, so if you're only half done....carry on crafting and send me pics when you're done.

It's all go in my end of the world....about to start packing up house for the big move, which is always fun starting fresh and setting up a new, but the packing and cleaning of the old one I'd much rather not do...

Also house hunting for little sis,who's making the big move from Queensland to Melbourne......finally!

I can't begin to express the disgust in how we were spoken to at so many real estates when trying to view available properties to rent. Lets just say, if you are looking for representation of your property you will not get the red carpet experience as promised from a certain real estate in Reservoir....Girls, I thought stories from our Spotlight experiences were bad....dealing with real estates takes the cake....

Moving on the long story short is that when mum and dad divorced 17 years ago, mum went to Queensland with 4 of my younger siblings.As I was older and more established in Melbourne with work and partner, I stayed here...and so begun the frequent flyer points and thousands of dollars to see my family each year.

We have often felt torn and as though I should be there or my sister be here, but as time went on and we both started families it just got harder and harder to even think about.When Kiz was little, we did give up Melbourne for a year to live in sunny Queensland but all that sun went to my head and I craved for days when I could wear boots, winter jackets and straighten my hair without instant humidity frizzing it and of course a good old Melbourne cafe.....there's none like them.So after a year we realised that although Queensland was a lovely place to visit, it wasn't home for us. So we came home.

Continuing on, we lived similar lives in separate states.

I'd dye my hair blonde and call to tell sis only to hear her say...me too I did it today, I'd start a health kick to get fit and call her to find out she'd just started one too. I'd buy a new sewing machine, make a range of journals, ring to say I was pregnant and talk about how I wanted to do a clothing range for bigger girls....... and she'd say..... me too!A million miles away and living separate lives we always had so much in common and were always drawn in a similar direction.

Sure we'll fight..that's what sisters do, sure she'll eat my food and make me go for walks at 6 in the morning, and sure as sure I'll be miss bossy boots cranky pants far too often, but I'll also get to see my niece and nephew more than once a year, I'll be able to pop over for Sunday brunch, I'll be able to give her a real hug when life suxs.....

A lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same.

Manda will be joining 'Finki' as head pattern maker and co designer of an exciting new clothing label, but more importantly,

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

It was perfect weather, a beautiful display of handmade wonder on show and a relatively rested me. I think I hit the hay at 10.30 the night before. Very unusual for moi, but I did tell my self there would be no more late nighters before market day, so I'm holding true on that one.

I was tempted by far too much of the fabulous goodies on display. I could have come home with double the amount, but I'll save some for next Northside Makers on March 13th.

Take your time, sit on it for a while and don't forget...sky's the limit. You can make anything you want inspired by 'seeing circles'Jewellery, clothes, graphic designs, wood carvings, candles, paintings, shoes......

Think outside the box and stretch your imagination.Here's some inspiration to get you going:

Don't forget Beginning of February's theme doesn't mean the end Of Jan's.If you're still going on you 'turning Japanese' inspired piece, Don't give up. There are no fails in this challenge.I'm thinking that come December, we'll have a real life exhibition of all the works submitted throughout the year. So finish them when you can and send me pics so you can be a part of it too.

I'm one of those people who easily gets excited by new ideas. I won't just take a theme and make one new design...no... no...no.....

Seeing as how I'm taking the time to open up Photoshop and do one new design...I may as well do a few.Seeing as how I'm printing new designs ready for brooches, I can't waste the expensive paper by doing just one.....so I best print a few.Seeing as how I'm getting ready to set one....... you catch my drift!

I have become accustomed to spending my time wisely. So when I do make the time to do something new and exciting I'll make it count.My aim is to make sure there is a beginning, middle and end to my new adventure.The ending isn't always what I expected, but sometimes that's half the fun.

A lot of what I do when it comes to illustration or graphic design is basic outlines.I used to think this wasn't enough and that I needed to add color, depth and textural layers to create masterpieces. But really this is what I enjoy visually. Bold images, Strong colors and basic, familiar shapes.I thought to myself, what are a few familiar images we see around us today in the world of design. I came up with:

1: The owl....though his reign may be coming to an end soon. Foxes are the new owl I read!2: The Chandelier, so ornate and grand.3: The cameo. A ladies silhouette.

Of course there are many more, but these are three I decided to use as my subjects to turn Japanese.

Firstly the owl, celebrated here, common in some parts, but maybe not in Japan.

So I googled 'Japanese bird' and came up with the crane.After sussing out basic shapes and forms I drew my version of the crane for brooch number one.

I couldn't decide on red or blue, so I did both.

Secondly the chandelier. Visions of grandeur dripping in crystals, a popular form of lighting in homes of great esteem.

My take on a more traditional form of lighting in Japan would be paper lanterns. This is what I came up with.

Again, I couldn't decide red or blue, so I did both.

Lastly, the cameo. Side profile images of a lass traditionally carved in to mother of pearl, agate or shell.

For my interpretation, I decided to draw a basic silhouette of a geisha, dressed up with high hair and chopsticks in a bun. For the background, I created a bold bamboo wallpaper.

All in all, I really enjoyed thinking outside the box and creating something totally new.

As I did mention before...it's wasteful not to fill a page with new designs ready for the printer, so having this challenge put forth allowed me to create a Japanese inspired range as well as work on a few other newbies ready for my next market on Feb 6th, Northside Makers....

Monday, February 1, 2010

The display of inspired craft from the turning Japanese design challenge is far from over.Many people are still furiously working away at finishing things off and daily I'm getting emails of all your fabulous creations.

They truly are fantastic and I'm loving all the variations I'm seeing.

Today I have the wonderful work of Karen from 'The house of Wilson'She usually would lend her hand to amazing works in paper, but decided to go for some paper crane print fabric to create this awesome mini quilt wall hanging.I'm very jealous that she found such cool fabric to work with. Great work Karen.

Secondly...you have just got to adore the many talents at play in the work presented by Jennie over at Mrs Beckinsale.

Is it a bird....is it a plane......no it's Sockzilla.

So cute is her creation of the one and only Godzilla and so witty, clever and cute is her presentation of said creature in the form of a comic strip adventure.....

A superhero in a onesie has never looked so adorable!

Back tomorrow to finally.........show off my contribution for Jan's theme and select the new theme for February.